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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Awesome, completely expected and yet unexpected. I love these short stories that give you a glimpse back into the Women of the Otherworld series.
Elena is missing the start of her annual family holiday because she's in London trying to make a misogynistic Pack leader see sense. When she gets home, it's to a missing daughter and the possibility of a major Pack threat being back.
Now, a review of a Kelley Armstrong book is always going to be glowing from me because I love the woman and all the words that come from her fingertips. Forsaken is no different.
It's set after all the other Otherworld books (latest in series), I think Goodreads has it listed as 13.4. Since we're not getting full length novels any more, the Sub Press novellas are the only way to get my Otherworld fix (well, besides re-reading the series but in this case I mean a new fix). As I've stated in the title, so much has happened in the series that even a blurb isn't spoiler free anymore.
Elena is having to prove herself as Alpha to all other Alphas since they think it's just a ploy and either she and Clay are co-Alphas or Clay is the real Alpha and they're just using her as a figurehead to prove something. I'm loving the different side of Clay and Elena as parents that we're getting in these novellas. I'm also loving seeing Logan and Kate grow up, they're both so different but so like their parents.
As sad as I am about the Otherworld hiatus, I'm so grateful for these novellas being released because I like seeing my favourite characters age and grow up and mature in their own way.
What I don't love is that this ended in such a way that I'm now impatiently waiting for the announcement of the next novella to see what happens. Armstrong writes such exciting stories that you just want to stay in her world all the time. If I didn't need to sleep, work and eat I'd happily just read her world constantly.
Her work also has the added bonus of pulling me out a reading funk and making me want to dive into books again. Although it's her books I want to read right now and not the huge pile of TBRs I have to tackle.
Now, a review of a Kelley Armstrong book is always going to be glowing from me because I love the woman and all the words that come from her fingertips. Forsaken is no different.
It's set after all the other Otherworld books (latest in series), I think Goodreads has it listed as 13.4. Since we're not getting full length novels any more, the Sub Press novellas are the only way to get my Otherworld fix (well, besides re-reading the series but in this case I mean a new fix). As I've stated in the title, so much has happened in the series that even a blurb isn't spoiler free anymore.
Elena is having to prove herself as Alpha to all other Alphas since they think it's just a ploy and either she and Clay are co-Alphas or Clay is the real Alpha and they're just using her as a figurehead to prove something. I'm loving the different side of Clay and Elena as parents that we're getting in these novellas. I'm also loving seeing Logan and Kate grow up, they're both so different but so like their parents.
As sad as I am about the Otherworld hiatus, I'm so grateful for these novellas being released because I like seeing my favourite characters age and grow up and mature in their own way.
What I don't love is that this ended in such a way that I'm now impatiently waiting for the announcement of the next novella to see what happens. Armstrong writes such exciting stories that you just want to stay in her world all the time. If I didn't need to sleep, work and eat I'd happily just read her world constantly.
Her work also has the added bonus of pulling me out a reading funk and making me want to dive into books again. Although it's her books I want to read right now and not the huge pile of TBRs I have to tackle.
Quite a bit gets packed into this short story, including big things for the twins and the story itself ends on a pretty major TO BE CONTINUED. Not sure if that means we have to wait a full year for another 100-ish pages to pick this back up, or if Kelley has something else planned.
Forsaken is the latest saga in Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. It takes us back to where it all began with Clay and Elena. Elena is now the alpha of the North American werewolf pack and has to deal with all kinds of sticky situations. She is missing a family vacation with Clay and the twins to deal with the British pack. When she gets back she discovers her daughter Kate has gone missing and there are strange werewolves in the area. And of course, since Kate and Logan are the only kids born of two werewolves they are not your normal eight-year-olds. I always enjoy Armstrong's stories and really like the werewolf gang. However, I feel like she has gotten away from full-length books and started writing these shorter novellas. They are fine, but they are just a teaser for the full story. Enjoyable, but left me hungry for more as most appetizers do.
I see this is #13.5 in the series, and rating it as less than a full book in the series seems about right.
The writing is spot on, and the action progresses at a terrific pace. The tension about her children had me on the edge of my chair.
But all in all, it was a small book. There was just the one storyline, so it's not as nuanced as the previous Otherworld books that I've loved. Also, there was one "trick" the enemy used that I saw through pages and pages and pages BEFORE Elena and her pack did. Which made me think slightly less of the character.
All that being said, I would happily read Otherworld books until the end of time.
The writing is spot on, and the action progresses at a terrific pace. The tension about her children had me on the edge of my chair.
But all in all, it was a small book. There was just the one storyline, so it's not as nuanced as the previous Otherworld books that I've loved. Also, there was one "trick" the enemy used that I saw through pages and pages and pages BEFORE Elena and her pack did. Which made me think slightly less of the character.
All that being said, I would happily read Otherworld books until the end of time.
A short story, 13.5 in the Women of the Otherworld series and revolving around a diverse group of strong, smart, and skillful supernatural women and their equally talented mates. The focus is on Kate and Logan Danvers of the Stonehaven Pack.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Women of the Otherworld books on my website.
My Take
I'm taking issue with the whole "summoned" to a meeting. How can a British Alpha summon an American Alpha? What's the hold? The hierarchy? Tell him to piss off until after your vacation. He wants his kid to have bodyguards? Send them yourself. For this, I'd've given "Forsaken" a "3", but this is only the start of the story, and I had to up it to a "4" due to the rest of the tale.
Nothing says Kate has to justify being Alpha. Nor does she have to answer to anyone but her pack.
We "hear" the whole story from a first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective, and while I love hearing her thoughts on how she and Clay are raising their kids. As time shows, it's the best way. As for her thoughts about the kids' propensities? Too funny.
It's through Elena that we also hear the hypocrisy that makes me want to blow up! Elena notes that if Clay went for Parker's throat, then he was a proper werewolf. If she went for Parker's throat, she was a hysterical woman.
It's Kate's phone call that starts off the real action. Growing up comes with issues. Growing up with werewolf blood comes with even more issues only it takes awhile for Elena and Clay to realize what's happening.
It seems America isn't the only group with voting irregularities. I'm not sure where Harris is going with this. Part of the set-up? Or just that Parker is an idiot with an immature son for whom he's making excuses. He was a child six months ago, but now he's eighteen so he's mature now? Yep. I've got this bridge . . .
It's plenty of tracking and brutal action based on werewolf abilities, particularly Elena's and Clay's to an extent. But it's also Elena's thoughts about her kids. Parents will relate. Okay, except for the werewolf bits, lol. Hmm, then again . . .
The Story
Business calls Elena out of the country when she's supposed to be on vacation. It's a call from Kate that will call Elena back.
One of her eight-year-old twins has disappeared, and all evidence points to Malcolm Danvers. It seems as if the psychotic former Pack member they’ve been tracking for the past year has brought the fight to them, setting the bait he knows Elena can’t afford to ignore.
The Characters
Elena Michaels has been the Alpha for three years. Clay Danvers is her husband — the world thinks he's a psycho — and her Beta. The twins — Kate and Logan — are eight years old now. Jeremy Danvers, his kitsune side gives him visions, had been the previous Alpha until he retired. He's still a very successful artist. Jaime Vegas, the celebrity psychic, is Jeremy's mate of seven years (No Humans Involved, 7).
Members of the Stonehaven Pack include . . .
. . . Karl Marsten, who's married to Hope, a chaos half-demon and daughter of Lucifer (Otherworld Chills: "Chaotic", 5.2, and Personal Demon, 8) and they have a daughter, Nita (Thirteen, 13); Antonio Sorrentino; Nick Sorrentino is Antonio's son who has had a reputation as a playboy, but he's involved with the very competent Vanessa “Ness” Callas, a half demon with a gift for fire and former FBI; Noah is Nick's ward (Frostbitten, 10); Morgan Walsh is a Canadian with no reputation but great tracking skills (Otherworld Secrets: "Forbidden", 10.2); Reese is the Australian around whom so much controversy revolves (Frostbitten, 10); Charlie is/was an Australian bounty hunter sent after Reese; and, Madison "Maddie" is Charlie's human daughter in college and now a member of Stonehaven, a human, gasp!
The unloved Malcolm Danvers is Jeremy's father who had been thought dead, but is hiding out in Bulgaria. Rhys Smith runs a security agency where Vanessa is one of his agents (Otherworld Chills: "Brazen", 13.3).
The English Pack
Hollis John Parker, Lord Something, has been the British Alpha for three years with a jerk of a son, Kevin. He's teetering over who to ally with. Harris Charles Parker, another Lord something, is Hollis' cousin. Shane Atherton is Hollis' current Beta who had contested Hollis for the position of Alpha.
The Australian Pack are . . .
. . . enemies who want to take over the American Pack.
The Russian Pack is . . .
. . . an ally.
The Bulgarian Pack is . . .
. . . led by Marko Todorov who has given asylum to Malcolm.
The Cabals are . . .
. . . sorcerers aligned by families. The Nasts are based in California.
The Cover and Title
The cover is graphic in style with the curly, blonde Kate in a red hoodie and jeans, her body facing us but her head tilted to the side in shame. Behind her is a GIGANTIC, snarling black wolf with blue eyes. At the very top is the title in the same blue, crossing Kate's hoodie. At the bottom right is the author's name in a white shadowed red.
I think the title is about Malcolm feeling "Forsaken".
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Women of the Otherworld books on my website.
My Take
I'm taking issue with the whole "summoned" to a meeting. How can a British Alpha summon an American Alpha? What's the hold? The hierarchy? Tell him to piss off until after your vacation. He wants his kid to have bodyguards? Send them yourself. For this, I'd've given "Forsaken" a "3", but this is only the start of the story, and I had to up it to a "4" due to the rest of the tale.
Nothing says Kate has to justify being Alpha. Nor does she have to answer to anyone but her pack.
We "hear" the whole story from a first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective, and while I love hearing her thoughts on how she and Clay are raising their kids. As time shows, it's the best way. As for her thoughts about the kids' propensities? Too funny.
It's through Elena that we also hear the hypocrisy that makes me want to blow up! Elena notes that if Clay went for Parker's throat, then he was a proper werewolf. If she went for Parker's throat, she was a hysterical woman.
It's Kate's phone call that starts off the real action. Growing up comes with issues. Growing up with werewolf blood comes with even more issues only it takes awhile for Elena and Clay to realize what's happening.
It seems America isn't the only group with voting irregularities. I'm not sure where Harris is going with this. Part of the set-up? Or just that Parker is an idiot with an immature son for whom he's making excuses. He was a child six months ago, but now he's eighteen so he's mature now? Yep. I've got this bridge . . .
It's plenty of tracking and brutal action based on werewolf abilities, particularly Elena's and Clay's to an extent. But it's also Elena's thoughts about her kids. Parents will relate. Okay, except for the werewolf bits, lol. Hmm, then again . . .
The Story
Business calls Elena out of the country when she's supposed to be on vacation. It's a call from Kate that will call Elena back.
One of her eight-year-old twins has disappeared, and all evidence points to Malcolm Danvers. It seems as if the psychotic former Pack member they’ve been tracking for the past year has brought the fight to them, setting the bait he knows Elena can’t afford to ignore.
The Characters
Elena Michaels has been the Alpha for three years. Clay Danvers is her husband — the world thinks he's a psycho — and her Beta. The twins — Kate and Logan — are eight years old now. Jeremy Danvers, his kitsune side gives him visions, had been the previous Alpha until he retired. He's still a very successful artist. Jaime Vegas, the celebrity psychic, is Jeremy's mate of seven years (No Humans Involved, 7).
Members of the Stonehaven Pack include . . .
. . . Karl Marsten, who's married to Hope, a chaos half-demon and daughter of Lucifer (Otherworld Chills: "Chaotic", 5.2, and Personal Demon, 8) and they have a daughter, Nita (Thirteen, 13); Antonio Sorrentino; Nick Sorrentino is Antonio's son who has had a reputation as a playboy, but he's involved with the very competent Vanessa “Ness” Callas, a half demon with a gift for fire and former FBI; Noah is Nick's ward (Frostbitten, 10); Morgan Walsh is a Canadian with no reputation but great tracking skills (Otherworld Secrets: "Forbidden", 10.2); Reese is the Australian around whom so much controversy revolves (Frostbitten, 10); Charlie is/was an Australian bounty hunter sent after Reese; and, Madison "Maddie" is Charlie's human daughter in college and now a member of Stonehaven, a human, gasp!
The unloved Malcolm Danvers is Jeremy's father who had been thought dead, but is hiding out in Bulgaria. Rhys Smith runs a security agency where Vanessa is one of his agents (Otherworld Chills: "Brazen", 13.3).
The English Pack
Hollis John Parker, Lord Something, has been the British Alpha for three years with a jerk of a son, Kevin. He's teetering over who to ally with. Harris Charles Parker, another Lord something, is Hollis' cousin. Shane Atherton is Hollis' current Beta who had contested Hollis for the position of Alpha.
The Australian Pack are . . .
. . . enemies who want to take over the American Pack.
The Russian Pack is . . .
. . . an ally.
The Bulgarian Pack is . . .
. . . led by Marko Todorov who has given asylum to Malcolm.
The Cabals are . . .
. . . sorcerers aligned by families. The Nasts are based in California.
The Cover and Title
The cover is graphic in style with the curly, blonde Kate in a red hoodie and jeans, her body facing us but her head tilted to the side in shame. Behind her is a GIGANTIC, snarling black wolf with blue eyes. At the very top is the title in the same blue, crossing Kate's hoodie. At the bottom right is the author's name in a white shadowed red.
I think the title is about Malcolm feeling "Forsaken".
I love Kelly Armstrong's Otherworld Series, and I am late to actually picking this one up and reading it....I also read it out of order which may have spoilt previous books in this spin-off series, but I don't really care ;)
Forsaken starts with Elena, who is attending pack meetings in the UK regarding a wolf coming to America to study, and the Alpha wanting him protected. Elena isn't really regarded as Alpha, just a stand in, a puppet for Clay or Jeremy, after unsuccessfully resolving the matter she returns home to find that her daughter Kate is missing, Logan being the one to break the news to her. The pack come together once again to hunt for Kate, but with no scent of her anywhere it's a difficult task, even with Elena's good sense of smell.
Forsaken was like visiting old friends, and I saw this more as catching up with them than actually reading a book. I love the world Kelley has created and I could not wait to dive into it once again. The hunt to find Kate was gripping and tense, I loved the twists and turns that kept you guessing over what was really going on and who was responsible, and just when you thinks it's all resolved something new is added and you are back to square one again, but for different reasons.
Kate and Logan have their own journeys to travel in Forsaken, and seeing these two deal with things in completely different ways but have the same outcome was such an experience as a reader.
Forsaken was a quick read, but was packed full of everything you expect from Kelley, and when I realised it was coming to an end I wanted to savor every word, make the book last that little bit longer. The ending of Forsaken was not what I expected, but leaves it open for a next part to this story, and I really hope we get to see what choice is made and very soon.
Final Verdict
Forsaken was a quick but extremely satisfying read. I devoured the pa
Forsaken starts with Elena, who is attending pack meetings in the UK regarding a wolf coming to America to study, and the Alpha wanting him protected. Elena isn't really regarded as Alpha, just a stand in, a puppet for Clay or Jeremy, after unsuccessfully resolving the matter she returns home to find that her daughter Kate is missing, Logan being the one to break the news to her. The pack come together once again to hunt for Kate, but with no scent of her anywhere it's a difficult task, even with Elena's good sense of smell.
Forsaken was like visiting old friends, and I saw this more as catching up with them than actually reading a book. I love the world Kelley has created and I could not wait to dive into it once again. The hunt to find Kate was gripping and tense, I loved the twists and turns that kept you guessing over what was really going on and who was responsible, and just when you thinks it's all resolved something new is added and you are back to square one again, but for different reasons.
Kate and Logan have their own journeys to travel in Forsaken, and seeing these two deal with things in completely different ways but have the same outcome was such an experience as a reader.
Forsaken was a quick read, but was packed full of everything you expect from Kelley, and when I realised it was coming to an end I wanted to savor every word, make the book last that little bit longer. The ending of Forsaken was not what I expected, but leaves it open for a next part to this story, and I really hope we get to see what choice is made and very soon.
Final Verdict
Forsaken was a quick but extremely satisfying read. I devoured the pa
Meh. OK, but not great installment in the series. I guess that is why the author herself placed it as 13.5, rather than as a full novel.
Takes place two years after Brazen and features Elena, our usual Pack narrator. A minor change in the plot of Brazen was made to the version published in Otherworld Chills, and that is the version referenced in Forsaken.
Best part: The twins give hilarious and adorable analyses of their parents' behavior.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
Spoiler
In that version, Vanessa would have chosen to let Malcolm kill her.Best part: The twins give hilarious and adorable analyses of their parents' behavior.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.